84Mags

I think my favorite part of today’s offering is that ‘big’ Tristan wasn’t ever accused of anything heinous with ‘little’ Tristan; onlookers saw the moment for what it truly was. Every part just swirled in realistic Christmas magic. Perhaps that magic will continue for Tristan’s dad...

Absolutely brilliant use of the flies to initially ramp up the intensity and later to let the reader know it was ok to breath again, although I must admit I didn’t take a full breath throughout the whole chapter. Fergus reacted to learning of Sawyer and Jimmy even worse than I thought he would. He is completely deranged. Never thought I would say this, but I feel sorry for Granger.

Wishing you all the best this Thanksgiving! Although it is certainly different for most of us this year, there is still much to be grateful for. As I go between oven and reading, the abbreviated Macy’s Parade is televised in the background. As I was reading your comment above, the Big Apple Gay and Lesbian Corp Band was on performing for our nation. Wonder what Rick might think. I know it made ME happy. PS: I forgot in my original comment to say how fun it was to hear from CJ and Oz! I have read and love @Carlos Hazday work. I stand by calling them biker babes too 😉

Rita really has a long range plan she’s setting in motion. Involving the school board must mean she is telling them about her new development plan and angling it as a tax boon for the district. If I am correct then it’s rather brilliant to get the board on her side before the administrators and teachers can react to the larger class sizes the new growth will cause. Coming from a small town perspective, I can tell you each new subdivision, especially the high end ones, cause a community uproar. The biker babe husbands are an important moment. I love that Rick was able to experience both their open love and Jared’s completely neutral response.

I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! While it certainly will be much different than in years past for most of us, I hope you are able to enjoy the next week off. I find myself beginning to recharge, as you put it, now that the election is finally decided and vaccines are on the way.

I love a good mystery! I’m worried about who SexyHunk is, and that he is coming to Eagle Lake at the exact same time as Rick’s dad. I am very intrigued about who bought Cedarcrest. Seems to me a world renowned concert pianist might have the funds to do so. Perhaps that’s hopeful thinking on my part. I wish Rick had googled Helene; I want her backstory. After the last chapter I assumed she caused Gus harm, intentional or not, and wonder that even more now. What if Gus is looking for a way out? And then there is (literally) poor Rita. Without the Cedarcrest sale she won’t be able to move forward with her plans to ‘remake’ Eagle Lake. She obviously trusts Rick with details and has been in contact with his dad. She needs Rick for her scheme. I hope he sees all the red flags soon.

The interaction with Jada went much better than I expected. That bodes well for Sawyer’s return to work. I’m not certain his next meeting with his mother will go as well, though. In the midst of this chapter’s tension, I really did laugh out loud at the menopause comparison. Unfortunately, I can currently attest to it being very much like turning into a werewolf, unwanted new facial hair growth and all! 😂

Yep, I most definitely over identify with Rick. My heart picked up and dropped throughout the chapter as events unfolded. Interestingly, both Rick and Gus lead lives they could love if not for being controlled by family. Neither have personal time that is their own to chart. The easy smile Gus displays is a nice counterbalance to Rick’s uncertainties. I hate that both have been touched by violence; a disagreement should never lead to harm. I like where this is going. Although in outward appearances and lifestyles Rick and Gus lead very different lives, they compliment each other well. They will be good for each other.

OH. MY. Sawyer isn’t the only one who is pretty dang perfect! Love this line: ‘Jimmy found himself floating in a place where libido and joy melted into a solitary mood.’ ... Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go take a very cold shower before work. 😉

I guess ‘never say never’ is true. But then I broke my rule one other time, also for you 😉, to comment your poem reminded me of Rick in Double Concerto. Today’s offering eased an emotional burden. It felt important to let you know that. Again, I am grateful.

I made a decision to never comment on poems because nothing I could say is as beautiful as the word art of poetry. But this was my past week and it made me cry. Thank you.

Me too! Guess that’s half the fun. 😊

This chapter was my morning smile as I wake up and enjoy the sunrise in a town very much like this one. I found myself thinking of our version of Rick’s stops and interactions, each being true to life. That bit of musing didn’t stop me from connecting a few dots about Rita. She appears to be more than a tad short on cash as she wheels and deals towards her end game. My guess is right now she is all smoke and mirrors from her perfectly manicured attire to her ‘group’ office. She’s buying time and borrowing towards the future assuming the small town business folks won’t figure her out before she hits a big payday. Rick’s time rowing on the lake did him good. He is also starting to connect a few dots! I don’t see him accepting the ‘dating’ app guy’s offer. He could end up surprising Rita when he figures out her plans. Much like his father, she underestimates Rick.

I agree with Jimmy... Sawyer is perfect! ~*mAtE*~

Brilliant chapter and absolutely perfect title. A modern day Handel would smile. This chapter was a much needed contemplation for Rick and what better place to explore his mind’s darkest wanderings than while paddling on a quiet lake’s night. I loved how his mother joined him on his journey, first in the constellations and later with her final words. Rick’s realization that Willy and the rape forever changed him might finally lead him to stop missing opportunities. It’s a start that he ‘drifted’ and then purposefully paddled over to his pianist. Perhaps, too, he will eventually recognize within his mother’s words and the softness of his father’s voice with her, that there is more to his father than hard edges and bitter disappointments.

Fergus isn’t just narcissistic, he is a fool. Irwin had a wife who belittled him and an Alpha who used him in a very demeaning way. It appears to me that going rogue, while horrific, was a way for Irwin’s wolf to express rage, gain back a level of power, and be in control. Fergus is so deeply in denial about his ‘games’ with the betas and the possible consequences. He doesn’t understand that the parts of Jimmy that attract him so much will ultimately be his undoing.

Oh sure, make me google search again! I concede. Your idea is obviously a much better fit to the overall theme... but can we agree there is pinch of Odin in Heinrich 😉?!

The first title I didn’t need to google search! I studied Carl Jung’s essay on Wotan in grad school; if you haven’t read it, you should take a peak at it if for no other reason than the poet in you might enjoy the many poems inspired by the essay. So much focus on Rita and a possible relationship for Rick in this small town’s whisper mill, when it is really Rick’s dad that echoes through his head and creates the internal strife. It’s old Heinrich who is ‘stirring the pot’ and inserting himself into the daily business of a town he is no longer an active part of. He moved out of state but still hovers over the town. He expects respect and decision making rights even as he inconsiderate to Rick. Change is slowly but steadily coming for Rick. He’s a good man.

For the first time in so long I really can’t remember, I read the comments first just in case I needed to prepare myself for this chapter. Now that I’ve read it, I’m at the tentative sigh of relief stage. Please don’t harsh my buzz in the next chapter.

👆🏻I thought the same.... Rick 🥺

👆🏻Yes! Hopefully that will be her downfall.

I didn’t expect Rita to have such a lack of respect for Rick to be as open and blunt about how she would be using Rick in her scheme! It was frustrating to have Rick emotionally check out of the conversation and miss key details, even though it is a coping mechanism for his anxiety. I believe if Rita were a man, society might call him a shrewd and cunning businessman. The brashness Rita displays could be considered mere schmoozing and going after what he wants. That doesn't mean peers would like him, but there might be a level of respect Rita isn’t receiving; this obviously chafes her. Rita is tenacious. She moved her business to Eagle Lake and has no intentions of striking out again. Rick is key to her plans. It is concerning she brought up Eagle Lake not being an easy town to keep secrets in or driving hours away to get certain things you need. She appears to understand Rick’s family dynamics as related to his business. What else does she know about Rick? Also interesting was the bump in with Mr. Piano Man ❤️ Can’t wait for more encounters! I really love the titles of your chapters and how they subtly explain each as well as give future clues. Google search 😉

My grandmother used to say, “If wishing could make it so we would have our heart’s desire. We must work hard and pray God grants us what is best.” In this case I truly hope the moon does so for Sawyer and Jimmy. Sawyer not only needs to wake up, but also survive the transformation to wolf instead of rabid.

I really liked Rick’s ‘discussion’ with Marshall, too! So often workers in sex industries become the primary source of kindness, human interaction and advice for those they work with. Unfortunately, society can be pretty harsh and unfair to those individuals. Marshall entered Rick’s life at a critical point and although it wasn’t best for the long term, their relationship really helped Rick. It was neat that when Rick was driving back and in such a negative head space, looping demeaning thoughts, ‘Marshall’ stepped forward with positive, affirming ideas. My hope is someday soon Rick will recognize those thoughts were actually his own.

I commented in Chapter 4 that I dislike Rita, and this chapter only served to strengthen that feeling. She has this conniving pushiness that seems part real (what kind of person argues over a 1/2 percent sales tax ?!) and part pretense. She’s obviously scheming something and did see Rick’s truck. Bring on the dinner, we are ready for her...